Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton is pleased with his increased choices in the forward areas following Florin Andone’s return from injury, and praised the different attributes that the three frontmen possess.

The Romanian made his return to action in the under-23s’ match against West Ham United on Friday night at the Amex Stadium, and Hughton is pleased to have Glenn Murray, Jurgen Locadia and Andone all available for selection.

He said, “Firstly, he [Andone] will add to the level of competition we already have with Locadia and Murray, whether they’re starting or coming off the bench.

“In Murray, Locadia and Andone we have three very different players. Andone has a physicality about him, but he’s also somebody that’s also used to running behind defences.

“He will stretch teams for us and give us that outlet; and with the three strikers, we have different options for different games.”

The Seagulls boss also looked more at this season in detail, and believes the challenge for survival will be even tougher due to the money spent by the three newly-promoted clubs.

“There should be a bit more maturity in the squad after the experiences of last year, but it could go the other way where players feel they’ve made it and inconsistency sets in.

“I’d like to think we can use the experiences of last season, and we’ll certainly need to, because the money that the three newly-promoted teams have spent means they are better than any other time.”

With Southampton up next this evening, Hughton paid tribute to Mark Hughes and praised the job that the Welshman has done both at St Mary’s and throughout his managerial career as a whole.

“I know him and his staff very well, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for the job he does. He is a manager that players enjoying playing for.

“He’s a very well respected manager in the game, and I’d like to think we have a good mutual respect for each other.”

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